Remuneration for the Governor-General

The Authority sets the salary for the Governor-General. Separately the Prime Minister sets the Governor-General’s allowance.

Information on current remuneration for the Governor-General is on the New Zealand Legislation website:

• Governor-General (Salary) Determination 2020
• Governor-General (Allowance) Order 2019

Background

The Governor-General Act 2010 provides for:

• the Governor-General’s salary to be set by the Remuneration Authority
• the salary that cannot be reduced during the Governor-General’s term of office
• the salary to be set on the basis that it is not exempt from income tax
• the salary, allowance, and official programme expenses of the Governor-General are paid under Permanent Legislative Authority (PLA). That arrangement allows the salary, allowance and other payments to be paid on a permanent basis, rather than being voted annually by Parliament.  

The Authority sets the salary of the Governor-General on the basis of the criteria in the Remuneration Authority Act.

For more background see the 2009 Law Commission Review of the Civil List Act, the Governor-General.